Patents by Inventor Ken Mototsune
Ken Mototsune has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11359706Abstract: A launch device having a front cover connectable to the output of a prime mover, an output hub connectable to the input of the transmission, an impeller driven in rotation with the front cover and a turbine fluidly coupled in rotation with the impeller. A damper includes an output member connected to and rotatable with the output hub. A lock-out clutch, when engaged, rotationally locks the damper with the front cover and includes a clutch piston which is axially and rotationally moveable relative to the output hub. A mechanical clutch piston positioner includes first and second interfaces individually associated with either the clutch piston or one of the output member or output hub. The first interface is axially and rotationally moveable relative to the second interface. Upon the first interface overrunning tire second interface, mechanical engagement of the interfaces axially positions tire clutch piston toward the front cover.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2019Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: Exedy GlobalParts CorporationInventors: Shinichiro Maeda, Ken Mototsune, Scott Binder
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Patent number: 11293535Abstract: A launch device coupling a prime mover to a transmission. The launch device includes a front cover for connecting to the output of the prime mover and an output hub for connecting to the input of the transmission. A rear cover is connected to the front cover and cooperates to define a chamber. Within the chamber are an impeller and a turbine having a plurality of opposing blades such that hydraulic fluid is directed from the impeller blades and toward the turbine blades. A main damper is provided between the turbine and output hub of the launch device. Coupled to the main damper is a lock-out clutch configured to releasably lock the main damper for rotation with one of the front and rear covers. The launch device also includes an active dynamic damper system coupled to the main damper and configured to reduce resonance influence on the main damper.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: EXEDY GLOBALPARTS CORPORATIONInventors: Kenji Kitada, Scott Binder, Ken Mototsune, Daniel Leschuk
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Publication number: 20220010867Abstract: A launch device having a front cover connectable to the output of a prime mover, an output hub connectable to the input of the transmission, an impeller driven in rotation with the front cover and a turbine fluidly coupled in rotation with the impeller. A damper includes an output member connected to and rotatable with the output hub. A lock-out clutch, when engaged, rotationally locks the damper with the front cover and includes a clutch piston which is axially and rotationally moveable relative to the output hub. A mechanical clutch piston positioner includes first and second interfaces individually associated with either the clutch piston or one of the output member or output hub. The first interface is axially and rotationally moveable relative to the second interface. Upon the first interface overrunning tire second interface, mechanical engagement of the interfaces axially positions tire clutch piston toward the front cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2019Publication date: January 13, 2022Inventors: Shinichiro MAEDA, Ken MOTOTSUNE, Scott BINDER
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Publication number: 20210062902Abstract: A launch device coupling a prime mover to a transmission. The launch device includes a front cover for connecting to the output of the prime mover and an output hub for connecting to the input of the transmission. A rear cover is connected to the front cover and cooperates to define a chamber. Within the chamber are an impeller and a turbine having a plurality of opposing blades such that hydraulic fluid is directed from the impeller blades and toward the turbine blades. A main damper is provided between the turbine and output hub of the launch device. Coupled to the main damper is a lock-out clutch configured to releasably lock the main damper for rotation with one of the front and rear covers. The launch device also includes an active dynamic damper system coupled to the main damper and configured to reduce resonance influence on the main damper.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2019Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Kenji KITADA, Scott BINDER, Ken MOTOTSUNE, Daniel LESCHUK
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Patent number: 10487908Abstract: A lock-up device includes an input rotary member into which the torque is inputted and an output rotary member rotatable relatively to the input rotary member in a predetermined torsion angular range. The output rotary member outputs the torque. The lock-up device also includes a plurality of first coil springs coupling the input rotary member and the output rotary member. The plurality of first coil springs are actuated in an entirety of the torsion angular range. The lock-up device further includes a plurality of second coil spring pairs or sets on either an outer peripheral side or an inner peripheral side of the plurality of first coil springs so as to be actuated in parallel to the plurality of first coil springs. The two or more coil springs have different magnitudes of stiffness and are actuated in series.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: EXEDY CORPORATIONInventor: Ken Mototsune
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Publication number: 20180266515Abstract: A lock-up device includes an input rotary member into which the torque is inputted and an output rotary member rotatable relatively to the input rotary member in a predetermined torsion angular range. The output rotary member outputs the torque. The lock-up device also includes a plurality of first coil springs coupling the input rotary member and the output rotary member. The plurality of first coil springs are actuated in an entirety of the torsion angular range. The lock-up device further includes a plurality of second coil spring pairs or sets on either an outer peripheral side or an inner peripheral side of the plurality of first coil springs so as to be actuated in parallel to the plurality of first coil springs. The two or more coil springs have different magnitudes of stiffness and are actuated in series.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2015Publication date: September 20, 2018Inventor: Ken MOTOTSUNE
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Patent number: 9441719Abstract: A lock-up device is disposed between a front cover and a turbine in a torque converter to mechanically connect the front cover and the turbine. The lock-up device includes a clutch part and a release part. The clutch part is disposed in a power transmission path from the front cover to the turbine and is configured to be in a clutch-on state of transmitting a power from the front cover to the turbine in a set posture. The release part is configured to be actuated by a hydraulic pressure being increased in a space on a turbine-side of the piston to turn the clutch part from the clutch-on state to a clutch-off state and to block transmission of the power from the front cover to the turbine.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: EXEDY CorporationInventors: Tatsuyuki Aoki, Kozo Yamamoto, Ken Mototsune, Yoshihiro Matsuoka
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Patent number: 9394982Abstract: A lock-up device having multistage torsional characteristics includes a retaining plate, a driven plate, a plurality of pairs of outer peripheral side torsion springs configured to elastically couple the both plates, a support plate and a plurality of inner peripheral side torsion springs. The support plate is rotatable relative to the retaining plate and the driven plate, and causes the outer peripheral side coil springs in each pair to act in a series-like manner. Each inner peripheral side torsion spring has a length shorter than that of each outer peripheral side torsion spring. Additionally, the support plate is configured to be restricted from rotating relative to the driven plate when stopper parts of the support plate contact intermediate stopper parts of the driven plate.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: EXEDY CorporationInventors: Ken Mototsune, Naoki Tomiyama
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Publication number: 20160109012Abstract: A lock-up device is disposed between a front cover and a turbine in a torque converter to mechanically connect the front cover and the turbine. The lock-up device includes a clutch part and a release part. The clutch part is disposed in a power transmission path from the front cover to the turbine and is configured to be in a clutch-on state of transmitting a power from the front cover to the turbine in a set posture. The release part is configured to be actuated by a hydraulic pressure being increased in a space on a turbine-side of the piston to turn the clutch part from the clutch-on state to a clutch-off state and to block transmission of the power from the front cover to the turbine.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Inventors: Tatsuyuki AOKI, Kozo YAMAMOTO, Ken MOTOTSUNE, Yoshihiro MATSUOKA
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Patent number: 9303747Abstract: A lock-up device includes a clutch portion and a damper mechanism. The clutch portion includes a clutch output member, a clutch plate, an oil chamber plate having a disc shape and a piston. The oil chamber plate is disposed between a front cover and an inner peripheral part of a turbine, while being axially immovable with respect to the front cover. The piston is disposed between the front cover and the oil chamber plate while being axially movable. The piston forms a first oil chamber for lock-up actuation together with the oil chamber plate, and forms a second oil chamber for lock-up releasing together with the front cover.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: EXEDY CorporationInventors: Ken Mototsune, Kazuhito Maeda
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Patent number: 9267555Abstract: A lock-up device includes a clutch part and a damper mechanism. The clutch part includes a clutch input member, a clutch output member, a drive plate, a driven plate, a second flange and a piston. The second flange is mounted between a front cover and an inner peripheral part of a turbine to be axially immovable with respect to the front cover, and forms a lock-up oil chamber. The piston is mounted between the front cover and the second flange, forms a lock-up oil chamber together with the second flange therebetween, and is configured to be moved toward the front cover by an operating oil to be supplied to the lock-up oil chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2012Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: EXEDY CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Ushio, Takeshi Kawamoto, Ken Mototsune, Shinji Fujimoto
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Patent number: 9249871Abstract: A lock-up device is a device disposed in a space produced between a front cover and a turbine in a torque converter so as to mechanically connect the front cover and the turbine, and includes a clutch part and a release part. The clutch part is disposed in a power transmission path from the front cover to the turbine, and is configured to be in a clutch-on state of transmitting a power from the front cover to the turbine in a set posture. The release part is configured to be actuated by means of a hydraulic pressure, turn the clutch part of the clutch-on state into a clutch-off state, and block transmission of the power from the front cover to the turbine.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2012Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: EXEDY CorporationInventors: Tatsuyuki Aoki, Kozo Yamamoto, Ken Mototsune, Yoshihiro Matsuoka
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Publication number: 20160017972Abstract: A lock-up device having multistage torsional characteristics includes a retaining plate, a driven plate, a plurality of pairs of outer peripheral side torsion springs configured to elastically couple the both plates, a support plate and a plurality of inner peripheral side torsion springs. The support plate is rotatable relative to the retaining plate and the driven plate, and causes the outer peripheral side coil springs in each pair to act in a series-like manner. Each inner peripheral side torsion spring has a length shorter than that of each outer peripheral side torsion spring. Additionally, the support plate is configured to be restricted from rotating relative to the driven plate when stopper parts of the support plate contact intermediate stopper parts of the driven plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2014Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: Ken MOTOTSUNE, Naoki TOMIYAMA
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Publication number: 20160017970Abstract: A lock-up device is a device disposed in a space produced between a front cover and a turbine in a torque converter so as to mechanically connect the front cover and the turbine, and includes a clutch part and a release part. The clutch part is disposed in a power transmission path from the front cover to the turbine, and is configured to be in a clutch-on state of transmitting a power from the front cover to the turbine in a set posture. The release part is configured to be actuated by means of a hydraulic pressure, turn the clutch part of the clutch-on state into a clutch-off state, and block transmission of the power from the front cover to the turbine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2012Publication date: January 21, 2016Applicant: EXEDY CorporationInventors: Tatsuyuki AOKI, Kozo YAMAMOTO, Ken MOTOTSUNE, Yoshihiro MATSUOKA
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Patent number: 9200685Abstract: A lock-up device includes a clutch part, an input plate, an output plate, torsion springs and an input plate support member. The clutch part is disposed between a front cover and a turbine, and is configured to allow or block transmission of a torque. The input plate is coupled to a clutch output member of the clutch part. The output plate is fixed to a turbine shell. The torsion springs are disposed between the input plate and the output plate, and absorb and attenuate a torsional vibration. The input plate support member is fixed to a front cover side of a turbine shell and positions the input plate in a radial direction and an axial direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2012Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: EXEDY CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Ushio, Takeshi Kawamoto, Ken Mototsune, Shinji Fujimoto
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Publication number: 20150128582Abstract: A stator support structure supports a stator of a torque converter on a stationary shaft, and includes an inner race and an annular one-way plate. The inner race is coupled to the stationary shaft to be non-rotatable relative thereto, and has a plurality of protrusions on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The annular one-way plate is mounted to the inner peripheral surface of the stator to be non-rotatable relative thereto, and has a plurality of pawls. The pawls are configured to prevent relative rotation between the stator and the inner race by making contact with first end surfaces formed as one rotation-directional end surfaces of the plural protrusions when the stator is rotated in a first direction. The pawls are configured to allow relative rotation between the stator and the inner race by elastically deforming in a radial direction to climb over the protrusions when the stator is rotated in a second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Takeshi Kawamoto, Ken Mototsune
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Patent number: 8967349Abstract: A lock-up device includes a clutch part and a damper mechanism. The damper mechanism includes an input plate, an output plate, a plurality of torsion springs, an intermediate member and a restriction member. The intermediate member is configured to cause at least two of the torsion springs to act in series. The restriction member is fixed to a clutch output member of the clutch part, while being disposed such that a part of the intermediate member is interposed between the input plate and the restriction member in an axial direction. The intermediate member is restricted from moving in a radial direction by the clutch output member, while being restricted from moving in the axial direction by the input plate and the restriction member.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: EXEDY CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Ushio, Takeshi Kawamoto, Ken Mototsune, Shinji Fujimoto
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Publication number: 20150008086Abstract: A lock-up device includes a clutch portion and a damper mechanism. The clutch portion includes a clutch output member, a clutch plate, an oil chamber plate having a disc shape and a piston. The oil chamber plate is disposed between a front cover and an inner peripheral part of a turbine, while being axially immovable with respect to the front cover. The piston is disposed between the front cover and the oil chamber plate while being axially movable. The piston forms a first oil chamber for lock-up actuation together with the oil chamber plate, and forms a second oil chamber for lock-up releasing together with the front cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2013Publication date: January 8, 2015Applicant: EXEDY CorporationInventors: Ken Mototsune, Kazuhito Maeda
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Publication number: 20140339042Abstract: A torque converter includes a front cover, an impeller, a turbine and a stator. The impeller includes an impeller shell coupled to the front cover, a plurality of impeller blades disposed inside the impeller shell, and an impeller hub. The impeller hub is formed in an axially extending tubular shape, while being fixed at an engine-side end part thereof to the inner peripheral part of the impeller shell by means of friction welding. The impeller hub also has a burr produced by the friction welding.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2012Publication date: November 20, 2014Inventors: Masakatsu Togawa, Ken Mototsune
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Publication number: 20140326563Abstract: A lock-up device includes a clutch part, an input plate, an output plate, torsion springs and an input plate support member. The clutch part is disposed between a front cover and a turbine, and is configured to allow or block transmission of a torque. The input plate is coupled to a clutch output member of the clutch part. The output plate is fixed to a turbine shell. The torsion springs are disposed between the input plate and the output plate, and absorb and attenuate a torsional vibration. The input plate support member is fixed to a front cover side of a turbine shell and positions the input plate in a radial direction and an axial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2012Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: Exedy CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Ushio, Takeshi Kawamoto, Ken Mototsune, Shinji Fujimoto